The second-highest number of applicants, even signs of overheating. Should I set a new record for the total amount of FA over 88.6 billion

Nov 13, 2025

The second-highest number of applicants, even signs of overheating. Should I set a new record for the total amount of FA over 88.6 billion
A game between KIA and LG at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 13th, and Park Chan-ho catching Moon Bo-kyung's infield ground ball at the bottom of the second inning and catching it at the first base. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.09.13/



The second-highest number of applicants, even signs of overheating. Should I set a new record for the total amount of FA over 88.6 billion
KT-Lotte match held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 27th. No outs in the top of the second inning. Kang Baek-ho is welcomed after hitting a solo shot. Busan = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.8.27/
The second-highest number of applicants, even signs of overheating. Should I set a new record for the total amount of FA over 88.6 billion
A game between the LG Twins and the Hanwha Eagles in Game 1 of the Korean Series at Jamsil Stadium on the 26th. LG Kim Hyun-soo is cheering after hitting a timely hit with two outs and runners on the first and second bases in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.10.26/
Can we set a new record for the highest total amount ever.

In 2026, the FA market was filled with 21 FA, the second largest number ever. In addition, there are already signs of overheating, so not only the big fish level but also the quasi-class are expected to be able to sign good contracts.

Infielder Park Chan-ho and catcher Kang Baek-ho, who are considered the biggest fish, have already exceeded the 10 billion won range. It is natural that the ransom increases as several teams compete, but it feels overheated because the resources are too limited.




Grade A with 20 protected players is 6, grade B with 25 protected players is 8, and grade C without compensation players is 7. Since each grade has a variety of big fish and quasi-classes, it is highly likely to be gradually sorted out as the big fish level becomes a contract.

The highest total amount of FA ever is the 2022 FA that broke out after the 2021 season. At that time, 15 people came to the FA market, and Na Sung-beom (NC→KIA) signed 15 billion won, Park Gun-woo (Doosan→NC) 10 billion won, Kim Jae-hwan (Remaining Doosan) signed 11.5 billion won, and Kim Hyun-soo (Remaining LG) also signed 11.5 billion won, raising the total amount to 10 billion won. The total amount of contracts for 15 people is a whopping 886 billion won.

The second-highest number of applicants, even signs of overheating. Should I set a new record for the total amount of FA over 88.6 billion
The second game of the Korean Series between Hanwha and LG at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 27th. Park Hae-min is happy after hitting a hit in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.10.27/
The second-highest number of applicants, even signs of overheating. Should I set a new record for the total amount of FA over 88.6 billion
KIA Cho Sang-woo is pitching hard in a match between NC and KIA at Gwangju KIA Champions Field on the 21st. Gwangju = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2025.09.21/
The second-highest number of applicants, even signs of overheating. Should I set a new record for the total amount of FA over 88.6 billion
A game between the LG Twins and the Hanwha Eagles in Game 1 of the Korean Series at Jamsil Stadium on the 27th. Hanwha Kim Bum-soo is pitching hard. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.10.27/
In 2023, the year after the second place in total, FA recorded it. Twenty people came to the market, Yang Eui-ji (NC→Doosan) signed a transfer contract for 15.2 billion won, and Park Min-woo received 14 billion won (remaining at NC). The third place is the 2016 market, which had 22 FA players, the most ever. It recorded 76.62 billion won.

In this FA market, there are many veterans with name values that can receive some amount of money even if there are not many super-special FA like in 2022. There are no starting pitchers, but there are bullpen pitchers in the must-win group, so the team that needs to strengthen the bullpen has no choice but to release the money.

Will the greatest money party ever be held. Or will there still be a situation where you hold onto the strings of reason. Since the KBO League is gaining huge popularity with the largest number of spectators ever with 12 million, the club, which has to strengthen its power for its fans, cannot help but go too far.

◇ Highest total FA record ever




1 = 2022 (15 people) = KRW 88.6 billion

2=2023 (20 people) = KRW 80.295 billion

3 = 2016 (22 people) = KRW 76.62 billion

◇A total of 21 players approved by FA (grade)

A grade (6) = Kim Tae-hoon (Samsung New), Choi Won-joon (NC New), Kang Baek-ho (KT New), Cho Sang-woo (KIA New), Park Chan-ho (KIA New), Choi Won-joon (Doosan New)

Grade B (8 people) = Kim Bum-soo (new to Hanwha), Lee Seung-hyun (new to Samsung), Lee Joon-young (new to KIA), Lee Young-ha (new to Doosan), Cho Soo-ha (new to Doosan), Park Hae-min (second to LG) Jang Sung-woo (second to re-qualify) Kim Sang-soo (second to Lotte)

C grade (7 players) = Han Seung-taek (new KIA) Kim Hyun-soo (third LG re-qualified), Son Ah-seop (third Hanwha re-qualified), Hwang Jae-gyun (third KT re-qualified), Yang Hyun-jong (third KIA re-qualified), Choi Hyung-woo (third KIA re-qualified), Kang Min-ho (fourth Samsung re-qualified)



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.